Well, they’ve come and they’ve gone.
My Mom, Sister and I had 6 full days together. Add in Hubbs, the boys, grand kids, good friends + Frankie the dog and that garnered us many hilarious and heartfelt moments. More than once “the look” was exchanged between my sister and me, and all of us laughed ’till our faces ached.
They thought the custom snack bar in the hotel suite was awesome 🙂
We enjoyed Tigers baseball in the garage, sunshine on the patio, and meals in and out. We talked politics and current affairs and updates on family, far and wide. A familiar pinch was felt as we watched the boys hug Nana, their height dwarfing her by a country mile. And I’ll never forget how wide her grin was when they did.
Go Tigers!
Sister and I had time together in the kitchen, prepping and chatting and singing along to songs like we’d always done. She can relax with me and let her silly side out, which she did more than once. Her delighted giggles echo in my head still.
Probably should stick to cooking, not photography!
It was worth it you know. The cleaning, the prep, our efforts to make it all “just so.”
The boys called me out on that, too, urging me to “just relax, have fun, and don’t worry about stuff so much.” A funny thing that is, hearing my words coming back to me in their voices.
I took their advice & we had a blast winning on the penny machine!
The grands made themselves known and many, many photos were snapped. Priceless.
Frankie’s rexhausted!
Yes, the visit was deep, the emotions were wide, and the ache I feel will have to last me … till next time.
“We cannot destroy kindred: our chains stretch a little sometimes, but they never break.” ~Marquise de Sévigné
Mom and her only great grand-Daughter, MJ
Aw….. I can just feel the love. I know you were so sad to see them leave….
Thank you; it was awfully hard to see them go so we did the only thing we could think of — we made the “good-bye” time very brief! Even though I’ve done this many times, it gets more difficult as Mom gets older because we’re always haunted with the “this could be the last time …” thoughts. Trying to focus on the fun & laughs so as to keep my spirits up!
MJ
It’s difficult not to think about that, MJ. I’m glad you had a great visit!
The great granddaughter reminds me of you!
You know, I have heard that before; she is a carbon copy of her Daddy and has hair like mine … funny thing this genetic stuff!
MJ
I’m so glad the visit was a success! Sounds like it was all things: fun, funny, touching, heart-felt, and above all, memorable! Love the photos, especially the one of little MJ and Nana! ~ Sheila
Thank you; we really enjoyed ourselves … and I think time went by so quickly because we had a nice, relaxing time!
🙂 MJ
Your granddaughter is beautiful. She looks like she is about to pop in excitement, too. awww…already gone?
Thank you; she was very excited. We referred to Mom as “Great Nana” and, on the 2nd day, when Mom asked MJ “do you know who I am?” She replied, “Yup, Super Nana!”
🙂 MJ
Wow! Can’t believe they are gone! The memories will last though.
It went quickly, that’s for sure… MJ
I have that same relationship with my sister, one look or key word between us and laughter breaks out.
One key word, one key song, you name it — good times.
MJ
Sounds like a marvelous event full of many keeper moments!
You are right, it was. MJ
Sounds like a great time. It’s been a long time since I laughed until my face hurt.
Those are the best kinds of aches & pains, don’t you think? 🙂 MJ
I knew you would have such a wonderful time and I’m so glad you did!
We did; my only complaint is it went too fast. I guess that’s better than wishing it would end, which some friends experience with their families. It was a lot of work and a little rushed but I am glad it happened, that’s the main thing. I think the travel was hard on Mom but also know there’s nothing that would have stopped her from going, short of being on a stretcher! MJ
Oh MJ, it looks like you all had a fabulous time! You know, for me, the only difficult thing about having family come from afar (as all ours does – both sides) is the emptiness and quiet when they’re all gone. Hate it. Takes me a few days to adjust. I hope for you that your happy memories carry you through. Oh and I’ve thought it before, you most certainly look like your mom, I think it’s in the sparkly eyes!
~d.
You are right, the emptiness and the aftershock that follows is daunting. I made a mistake in going back to work the morning they left. I should have taken that time off to have some time to myself and to just reflect. I wasn’t really ready to face people after that. Lesson learned.
I hear that often, that I take after my Mom. Most definitely! 🙂
MJ
memories were made. lovely post
Thank you, indeed they were. Come by again!
MJ
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